Each year, the University Financial Aid Committee establishes a cost of attendance budget for law students in accordance with federal aid regulations. A student’s total financial aid package (scholarship, grants, loans, etc.) will be based upon the annual cost of attendance budget, and covers the academic year only.
  
In setting the annual budget, the Financial Aid Committee uses average estimated cost figures and allows for a relatively modest lifestyle. Some students may spend more than the budgeted amounts, while others may spend less, depending upon individual lifestyles. However, it is important for students to understand that their financial aid packages generally cannot exceed the total cost of attendance budget in any given year. Financial aid is intended to cover only educational expenses of individual students and cannot be used as the sole source of support for students’ families.

The cost-of-attendance budget is updated each year around March, after the university’s Board of Visitors meets and approves tuition and fees.

J.D. Program Budget, 2023-24

*Grad PLUS loan fees will be added to the budgets of those students who are offered Grad PLUS loans. Grad PLUS fees are based on actual averages from 2022-2023 borrowing.

Students in their third year of law school will be required to take the bar exam to practice law. There is an expense associated with the bar exam that may differ by state. Additional information can be found here and here.

Living Expense Details (9 Month Budget)

Possible Increases to Annual Cost of Attendance Budget

Some students have additional expenses that may be included in the Cost of Attendance budget. Common budget increases include:

Documented reasonable costs for dependent care

Students with dependents may request an increase in their Cost of Attendance budget by the cost of dependent care. The expense must be reasonable and similar to the cost of dependent care in the community. Students who have spouses, domestic partners and/or children must understand that financial aid is not intended to support families and cannot replace or supplement the earnings of spouses or domestic partners. Students who have children may request budget increases to cover reasonable childcare expenses.  Please make an appointment with financial aid to review your circumstances and review the documentation required.

Cost of a new computer (one-time expense)

The cost of a computer purchased for educational purposes can be included in the Cost of Attendance budget one time only during law school. You must provide a copy of your receipt and the Computer Expense Form to verify your purchase. The maximum increase for the purchase of a computer is $2,500.

Cost of health insurance

Federal regulations give the Law School Financial Aid Office the ability to adjust a student’s Cost of Attendance budget on a case-by-case basis for the purchase of a health insurance plan. Please complete the Health Insurance Expense Request Form and submit it to the Financial Aid Office.

Study Abroad

Students participating in international exchange programs or in approved study abroad programs may request budget increases to cover additional expenses related to studying outside of the United States. Please make an appointment with Financial Aid to review your circumstances and determine what documentation is required.

Bar Exam

Students in their third year of law school may have the cost of the bar exam included in their budget if the cost is not covered by an outside entity. Please complete and submit the Bar Exam Expense Form.

If you have or expect to incur any of the above costs and wish to increase your cost of attendance budget, please make an appointment and/or complete the appropriate form and submit it to the Law School Financial Aid Office for review at financialaid@law.virginia.edu. 

All other unique circumstances

Upon written request, accompanied by supporting documentation, the Law School Financial Aid Office will consider requests for budget increases for extraordinary and unanticipated expenses. Examples of extraordinary and unanticipated expenses may include medical expenses, dental expenses, expenses related to disabilities, or other unusual circumstances. We review each request individually on a case-by-case basis. We encourage you to talk with financial aid staff if you think you may qualify for consideration.